Transistor

Transistor is a sci-fi action RPG from Supergiant Games, the creators of Bastion, who developed a similar emphasis on atmosphere and storytelling here, this time set in the neon city of Cloudbank. The player, a character named Red, wields a mysterious talking sword called the Transistor and fights against a faction called the Process, which is gradually rewriting and erasing the city. The combat system combines real-time action with the ability to stop time at any moment and plan out a series of attacks, which then play out rapidly in sequence - a hybrid that sets the game apart from most action RPGs.

The visual style relies on a rich neon palette and an isometric viewpoint, while the music accompanying the main character consists of melancholic songs that defined the game's distinctive tone after its release. Transistor was received as proof that Supergiant Games could create a different, but equally distinctive, world after Bastion, and it cemented the studio's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in the indie scene.

The mobile port is a paid game with no ads, controlled with a virtual joystick and action buttons, with gamepad support for players who prefer more precise control. The combination of turn-based planning and real-time action works surprisingly well on touch, since the player has time to think through a turn before triggering it and then watching the planned strikes play out on their own.

Why play it: For fans of action RPGs who will appreciate an inventive combat system combining turns and action, and who want a different, darker tone from Supergiant Games than Bastion offered.